Next Year

[mexicobufan]

We have 3 of the top 4 scorers in MVC play coming back and the number 1 rebounder in MVC play coming back. Give me a big 5 and next years team has got to be our year. I think TB will take another step forward on and off the court next year. AW will be the player of the year in the MVC with a year under his belt after his injuries. SM will be SM and will be a hand full.

Next year has to be our year......Man, I am starting to sound like a Cub fan.........go cardinals!!!

[AE Braves Fan]

I like where you're going with next year - but I have to disagree with one thing.

I think SM will be POY. Maybe TB. Actually the Braves might steal votes from eachother a la OE/DO.

[mexicobufan]

OK I can see no one is ready to talk about next year yet? Or maybe it was the Cub slam?

[Braves4Life]

All BU really needs for next year is a "serviceable" big man. Someone who can take up space, rebound, and defend the paint -- he doesn't really even need to score. I think if we had an O'Rear-type player (but maybe 2 inches taller) we would be just fine. The good news is I think there are plenty of jucos like this out there. And I think that is what this team needs -- a one or two year "gap" juco player who is physically mature and ready to rumble.

[ph]

All BU really needs for next year is a "serviceable" big man. Someone who can take up space, rebound, and defend the paint -- he doesn't really even need to score. I think if we had an O'Rear-type player (but maybe 2 inches taller) we would be just fine. The good news is I think there are plenty of jucos like this out there. And I think that is what this team needs -- a one or two year "gap" juco player who is physically mature and ready to rumble.

Can we get a big that can, at least, make a layup?

On another note, it seems UNI fans seem to be enjoying a S16 more than a conference championship... I've always contended that our s16 run trumps the "never finished higher than 3rd in 8 years.." I am concerned we have not made the NCAA's in the last 4 years, but I certainly do not look at the entire resume as 8 years of mediocre.

[jeffsu]

On another note, it seems UNI fans seem to be enjoying a S16 more than a conference championship...

It probably also appears now that they are more excited about that because it is a ONE game event where they beat the overall #1 (for the majority of the year) on the national stage. Their conference championship was the culmination of many games and didn't really have one "defining" moment where they knew they had it. And it would be more exciting than winning the MVC tournament... they beat a good UNLV team and an excellent Kansas team.

And in the long run, I would rather have our Sweet 16, too. If someone offered you to trade the Sweet 16 run for winning the championship (or tournament) and fizzling in the first round of the NCAA's... well, I'd stick with what we have. And UNI should be incredibly proud. I hope they can win at least one more to really "prove" to the talking heads that they deserved it. They always contend that a few good mid-majors can, on a fluke, make the Sweet 16. The Elite 8 becomes a whole different story.

[BU RICK]

I think the wild-card for next season is the players we didn't see play or see much of this year - JP (RS), MK, & AT. There is a lot of height there and potential rebounds and scoring. Also having Dodie back. I hope JP, MK and AT get into the mix next season and if they do that means they're playing good and that could make us a pretty good team.

[Out of Balance]

I think the wild-card for next season is the players we didn't see play or see much of this year - JP (RS), MK, & AT. There is a lot of height there and potential rebounds and scoring. Also having Dodie back. I hope JP, MK and AT get into the mix next season and if they do that means they're playing good and that could make us a pretty good team.

I can see where you are coming from with JP and MK but the endless story on AT is only second to the long running story of JW

[real fan]

We have 3 of the top 4 scorers in MVC play coming back and the number 1 rebounder in MVC play coming back. Give me a big 5 and next years team has got to be our year. I think TB will take another step forward on and off the court next year. AW will be the player of the year in the MVC with a year under his belt after his injuries. SM will be SM and will be a hand full.

Next year has to be our year......Man, I am starting to sound like a Cub fan.........go cardinals!!!

Agree with the get us a quality center and we could finally win the Valley, you posters that keep asking for minutes for A.T. do not understand that he has not improved in the 3 years he has been here, he just does not appear to want to mix it up inside which is what he needs to do in order to play, this is not high school where he was taller then just about everyone he played against, he needs to be tougher.

[ph]

Agree with the get us a quality center and we could finally win the Valley, you posters that keep asking for minutes for A.T. do not understand that he has not improved in the 3 years he has been here, he just does not appear to want to mix it up inside which is what he needs to do in order to play, this is not high school where he was taller then just about everyone he played against, he needs to be tougher.

AT needs to play consistently tougher (In one of his few appearances, didn't he get 3 blocks in 5 minutes) , and he does not usually play as if he realy "wants it" enough. but I also think we have not bothered to change the system enough to take advantage of what he could do. I'm hoping our staff realizes what we could do inside with the existing skills and help them out, too.

[BUFAN]

The way I see it three things have to happen to improve on our fifth place finish and have a successful season.
1 we and at have to add 40 lbs of muscle
2 we need to recruit someone 6'7" + and 240# + who can score and play d
3 we seed to recruit a two who can shoot and play d
Having dd back will help if he can play some point for us.
Otherwise i am afraid it will be another long season.

[SFP]

The way I see it three things have to happen to improve on our fifth place finish and have a successful season.
1 we and at have to add 40 lbs of muscle
2 we need to recruit someone 6'7" + and 240# + who can score and play d
3 we seed to recruit a two who can shoot and play d
Having dd back will help if he can play some point for us.
Otherwise i am afraid it will be another long season.

I agree with the point that we need a big. We get that big and I say we do not even need JW to contest for a top Valley position. Our guard play will be more then fine. I expect to see DSE and EM handle more of the point then they did this year. We get a big and it moves every one down a spot with WE playing a good portion at the 4 and TB at the 3.

This starting line up would be sick!
1 - SM
2 - AW
3 - TB
4 - WE
5 - A real banging big body, loves to rebound and make layups (Massive Mike clone )

[BradleyBrave]

If we just win home games everything else will take care of itself. That's not so hard, is it?

[dogsrus]

If we just win home games everything else will take care of itself. That's not so hard, is it?

Not for NIU it isn't....for US...well....

[shaunguth]

If we just win home games everything else will take care of itself. That's not so hard, is it?

Can we do that with what we have?

All we need is a good big.